Furina, a young dragon overlord, is tasked with pretending to be the Archon of Fontaine. She thought it would be an easy job. However, she didn't realise this job comes with its own messes.
Of Scales and Claws
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Prologue 1
AnantaAtman
I wandered, I watched, I judged
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Around 5000 years ago, hundreds of years before the Archon War,
"Egeria! Egeria! Look at what I found!" Egeria smiles at the spirited voice coming towards her. Scenes like that make her feel that every effort she has put to protect this beautiful nation is worth it if it makes her smile like this.
"Calm down, Erinnyes. What did you find," she greets the young oceanid with a smile. Most Oceanids when assuming human forms take on blue-hair, but, Erinnyes has white colour mixed into her hair like gentle waves. Her other unique feature is her eyes, one takes on the colour of gentle waters and the other, the treacherous deep. Her pupils are droplet-shaped. Though, that may have been her influence, as Erinnyes is her familiar.
She looks at the object Erinnyes' holding up and freezes. In her eyes, there is an egg. An egg with the shell of gentle blue scales. She has seen an egg like that before. It's a dragon egg. However, the feeling coming from this egg is foreign, alien.
"Eri, where did you find this…egg?" She asks.
"I saw it floating down the stream. I was curious, so I grabbed it," Erinnyes hesitantly answers as she perceives the god's unusual mood.
"I see. Well, it's a dragon egg," Egeria answers and Erinnyes almost drops the egg in shock.
"A dragon?! Aren't they all…, I mean," she says in shock.
Egeria can understand her familiar's shock. Celestia's stance on dragons is made clear by their brutal slaughter of dragons wherever they are spotted. Especially, Sovereigns. However, looking at the expression on Erinnyes' face.
"Don't worry. This one is quite young and alien. It likely slips through a crack formed from that war. Celestia won't be able to find this easily. Furthermore, it would take hundreds of thousands of years before it hatches," she moves to comfort the young Oceanid.
"Hundreds of thousands of years?! That's quite a lot. I would have already died by that time," Erinnyes seems a little sad at that thought.
"Don't worry. I know what to do," Egeria says with a gentle smile and lifts the egg. She and Erinnyes move through streams, through rivers, into deep waters of the Fontainian seas.
"The Primordial Sea?" Erinnyes says quizzically at the place they arrive.
"Yes. This dragon egg seems to be absorbing the ambient energy of the world to hatch itself. And the Primordial Sea is a place of limitless potential. If we place it here, it will hatch quickly," she explains.
"Oh!"
Erinnyes nods. Egeria smiles at her familiar and puts the egg in a nearby pillar of Primordial Water.
Like that, the egg would remain there for a long time. Through, the screams of an insane symphony, a long cruel war, and a tragedy. Until a desperate god arrives in front of it.
"You, who come from lands outside. You, who, haven't been touched by the fate of this world. Only you can help me, now," a god whispers. Slowly, she takes out the egg and embraces it. And then, she takes out her heart and crushes it. A burst of incredible energy rushes out from it. She stumbles weakly, but her lips pull into a smile of triumph.
"It's time for you to wake up, my dear, Furina," Focalors whispers. Cracks gradually appear on the egg.
"Mom? Is that my name?" the voice from the egg asks. From the shattered shells, a child who seems to be about 5 years old walks out. At that moment, Focalors felt everything inside her chilled and stopped. Looking at the child whose face looks very similar to hers, the child who calls her mom with that innocent voice… She steels her resolve again, nonetheless. Fontaine comes first. Even if she has to suffer, even if this child has to suffer.
"Of course, it's your name. That's a name I thought of carefully," Focalorss says with a smile.
"Furina of the Furies, it's indeed an interesting name. So, why did you call for my birth so prematurely, Dear mom?" the golden eyes descend upon her, shining in oppressive light, and yet Furina's expression is ever so gentle.
Focalors smiles. As expected of a dragon, even just born, she is brimming with so much power that it even makes her feel a bit suppressed.
"It's like this," Focalors clears her throat a bit, and starts to recite the events of the past 5000 years and some parts of her plan, "And that's why I need you to act like me while I prepare to prevent the Prophecy".
After her tale, Furina remains silent. Just as Focalors is starting to feel uneasy, she bursts out laughing.
"Such good tales, such drama! Very well, I will participate in this grand play. Together, we shall fool even the Heaven!"
"Great!" Focalors claps, "Now, all that is left is to change your appearance".
"My appearance?" Furina asks in an uncertain tone as she looks at herself. She looks like a mini Focalors due to the nature of the ritual she performs to hasten Furina's birth. However, her hands, instead of fingers, have dark blue scales, glistening like diamonds and claws. She has a tail reminiscent of a shark's with dragon scales and her entire body, aside from her neck and hands, is covered in dragon scales. She also has a dagger-like horn that seems quite sharp protruding from the top of her forehead.
"Yes, you don't look quite human," Focalors says.
"And that's a problem?" Furina feels herself frowning.
"Yes, because most Gods choose to look like a human to better blend in with their people. Aside from Morax of course, but he is so old so probably senile. And you look too much like that of a dragon, humanoid maybe, but still a dragon. Celestia, the residence of Heavenly Principle, has a dim view of dragons. So, it's not a good idea to have Draconian features so openly," Focalors explains.
Furina frowns even more, but in the end, she relents, "Very well, I shall change my form to look more of a human".
"Thank you," Focalors smiles gently, "Do you need my help?"
"It's okay. Dragons are natural shape-shifters, we can take on any form regardless of how inefficient they are," Furina replies and concentrates. Runic circles flare under her and suddenly, she looks the exact same as Focalors.
"I must admit, this is somewhat jarring," Focalors admits as she examines her mirror image.
"So, is this acceptable?" Furina asks.
"Yes! Now, all you need to do is officialise your ascension and inform the citizens of Fontaine. I have arranged everything for you".
"And you? Where will you be?" Furina looks deeply at Focalors.
"As for me, I will be recuperating, as this ritual took a lot from me. After that, I will have to prepare for the Final Dance, of course," Focalors gently cups Furina's cheeks, "don't worry, I will check up on you from time to time," and then, she disappears.
"Typical," Furina mutters, looking at the empty space. She sighs and starts to look for a way out of this very glowing space. Furina doesn't forget to take a nibble of it, though. She needs that energy.
After a while, the matters are quickly settled. Now, she stands at the place which would later become widely known as Opera Epiclese.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening and welcome to the Opera Epiclese. I am Furina de Fontaine, your new Hydro Archon. In truth, I know little about becoming a nation's new god, but it will be my honour to guide you all. As the God, Focalors, The God of Justice, I shall do within my power to lead you into an age of fairness and justice. Once again, thank you all for coming, if you have any questions or suggestions, please send them to the Maison Cardinalice – the future of Fontaine will require us to work together, after all," she says and looks at the audience. Immediately, voices of dissent start to appear.
"That's the new Hydro Archon? Is this some kind of joke by the Maison? I would've thought that a being that surpasses humanity would be a bit more assertive..."
"Hey," a scoff, "did you hear that? She even told us to send her suggestions there at the end..."
…
"Shouldn't gods be all-powerful? She is being so modest... What is the difference between her and an ordinary person, then?"
"If you ask me… Perhaps the succession didn't actually happen. She might just be a Maison-backed puppet?"
On the stage, a cold smirk slowly graces her face.
Furina claps, "Ahem, it seems a lot of people have something to say about me. I see that most of you are nobles. Fontaine just passed a crisis and I understand that you guys want to pour all of your wealth to help rebuild this beautiful nation. That's why, I will be accepting your generous donations".
"What?!"
"This is unacceptable!"
"What are you doing? Remove that fake god from the stage at once!"
All of these nobles. When Egeria just passed and Fontaine was without a leader, they stuffed their pockets without caring about anyone else. When people are starving on the street, elderly people and children are fighting each other for a slice of bread, and they sit in their mansions, happily counting their Mora while everyone struggles. Now that she touches their wealth, they dare to turn their fangs even against their Archon, their god. Mortals are truly amusing.
"Now, that's enough," at that instant, all the clamouring voices suddenly stop. With a deafening bang, those who are standing knee to the ground with such force that their knees turn bloody and shattered. A primal fear grips their heart as they look up onto the stage. There, the new Hydro Archon stands. She meets their gaze with a mocking smile. Her eyes glow golden, as if the sun itself is manifesting inside her eyes. They want to struggle, but they can't even blink. Only at that time do they realise, the being standing in front of them is a god. Not a peasant they can bully all they want.
"How enthusiastic of all of you! I like your spirit. Don't worry, I won't leave anyone out! Everyone will have a chance at donation!" The god in front of them declares with dramatic posture with one hand raised into the air as if announcing to the world one hand to her chest gripping motion as if she is greatly moved.
That day, many nobles stumble out of the Opera house. Raising arms and gathering armies as soon as they reach their residence. Even if it is a folly, mortal arrogance knows no bounds. However, Dragons are hardly merciful beings.
"You have made quite a ruckus today. Do you truly think it is wise? Fontaine is already in shambles from the Cataclysm. If we lose the support of Nobles…" Focalors appears in the vanity mirror in front of Furina.
"Of course, as of now, those Nobles are nothing but blood-sucking leeches. We have to cut them off if we want to rebuild Fontaine, and to a greater height at that. While we will lose some manpower in the process, I have plans for that already. You see, Dragons are quite adept in the art of Alchemy, so if I-" Suddenly, her words are cut off by a sudden attack from the shadow. Furina frowns.
[Majesty]
The gravity increases as the assassin slams into the ground, leaving cracks. He tries to stand up but to no avail. Furina leisurely stands up and walks toward the dark figure. She then takes off his mask. Red, ruby-like eyes, glistening fangs, and a pale complexion.
"A vampire. As expected," Focalors comments.
"A vampire?" Furina echoes.
"Yes, the situation in Fontaine is more complex than you have thought. There is a group called Midnight Society, and many Noble houses are tied to it. One of the members of Midnight Society are Vampires. They must have thought you are a young goddess like Dendro Archon and tried to take advantage of it," Focalors explains.
"I see. It seems my plans have to be moved forward a bit," Furina comments coldly.
"Egeria! Egeria! Look at what I found!" Egeria smiles at the spirited voice coming towards her. Scenes like that make her feel that every effort she has put to protect this beautiful nation is worth it if it makes her smile like this.
"Calm down, Erinnyes. What did you find," she greets the young oceanid with a smile. Most Oceanids when assuming human forms take on blue-hair, but, Erinnyes has white colour mixed into her hair like gentle waves. Her other unique feature is her eyes, one takes on the colour of gentle waters and the other, the treacherous deep. Her pupils are droplet-shaped. Though, that may have been her influence, as Erinnyes is her familiar.
She looks at the object Erinnyes' holding up and freezes. In her eyes, there is an egg. An egg with the shell of gentle blue scales. She has seen an egg like that before. It's a dragon egg. However, the feeling coming from this egg is foreign, alien.
"Eri, where did you find this…egg?" She asks.
"I saw it floating down the stream. I was curious, so I grabbed it," Erinnyes hesitantly answers as she perceives the god's unusual mood.
"I see. Well, it's a dragon egg," Egeria answers and Erinnyes almost drops the egg in shock.
"A dragon?! Aren't they all…, I mean," she says in shock.
Egeria can understand her familiar's shock. Celestia's stance on dragons is made clear by their brutal slaughter of dragons wherever they are spotted. Especially, Sovereigns. However, looking at the expression on Erinnyes' face.
"Don't worry. This one is quite young and alien. It likely slips through a crack formed from that war. Celestia won't be able to find this easily. Furthermore, it would take hundreds of thousands of years before it hatches," she moves to comfort the young Oceanid.
"Hundreds of thousands of years?! That's quite a lot. I would have already died by that time," Erinnyes seems a little sad at that thought.
"Don't worry. I know what to do," Egeria says with a gentle smile and lifts the egg. She and Erinnyes move through streams, through rivers, into deep waters of the Fontainian seas.
"The Primordial Sea?" Erinnyes says quizzically at the place they arrive.
"Yes. This dragon egg seems to be absorbing the ambient energy of the world to hatch itself. And the Primordial Sea is a place of limitless potential. If we place it here, it will hatch quickly," she explains.
"Oh!"
Erinnyes nods. Egeria smiles at her familiar and puts the egg in a nearby pillar of Primordial Water.
Like that, the egg would remain there for a long time. Through, the screams of an insane symphony, a long cruel war, and a tragedy. Until a desperate god arrives in front of it.
"You, who come from lands outside. You, who, haven't been touched by the fate of this world. Only you can help me, now," a god whispers. Slowly, she takes out the egg and embraces it. And then, she takes out her heart and crushes it. A burst of incredible energy rushes out from it. She stumbles weakly, but her lips pull into a smile of triumph.
"It's time for you to wake up, my dear, Furina," Focalors whispers. Cracks gradually appear on the egg.
"Mom? Is that my name?" the voice from the egg asks. From the shattered shells, a child who seems to be about 5 years old walks out. At that moment, Focalors felt everything inside her chilled and stopped. Looking at the child whose face looks very similar to hers, the child who calls her mom with that innocent voice… She steels her resolve again, nonetheless. Fontaine comes first. Even if she has to suffer, even if this child has to suffer.
"Of course, it's your name. That's a name I thought of carefully," Focalorss says with a smile.
"Furina of the Furies, it's indeed an interesting name. So, why did you call for my birth so prematurely, Dear mom?" the golden eyes descend upon her, shining in oppressive light, and yet Furina's expression is ever so gentle.
Focalors smiles. As expected of a dragon, even just born, she is brimming with so much power that it even makes her feel a bit suppressed.
"It's like this," Focalors clears her throat a bit, and starts to recite the events of the past 5000 years and some parts of her plan, "And that's why I need you to act like me while I prepare to prevent the Prophecy".
After her tale, Furina remains silent. Just as Focalors is starting to feel uneasy, she bursts out laughing.
"Such good tales, such drama! Very well, I will participate in this grand play. Together, we shall fool even the Heaven!"
"Great!" Focalors claps, "Now, all that is left is to change your appearance".
"My appearance?" Furina asks in an uncertain tone as she looks at herself. She looks like a mini Focalors due to the nature of the ritual she performs to hasten Furina's birth. However, her hands, instead of fingers, have dark blue scales, glistening like diamonds and claws. She has a tail reminiscent of a shark's with dragon scales and her entire body, aside from her neck and hands, is covered in dragon scales. She also has a dagger-like horn that seems quite sharp protruding from the top of her forehead.
"Yes, you don't look quite human," Focalors says.
"And that's a problem?" Furina feels herself frowning.
"Yes, because most Gods choose to look like a human to better blend in with their people. Aside from Morax of course, but he is so old so probably senile. And you look too much like that of a dragon, humanoid maybe, but still a dragon. Celestia, the residence of Heavenly Principle, has a dim view of dragons. So, it's not a good idea to have Draconian features so openly," Focalors explains.
Furina frowns even more, but in the end, she relents, "Very well, I shall change my form to look more of a human".
"Thank you," Focalors smiles gently, "Do you need my help?"
"It's okay. Dragons are natural shape-shifters, we can take on any form regardless of how inefficient they are," Furina replies and concentrates. Runic circles flare under her and suddenly, she looks the exact same as Focalors.
"I must admit, this is somewhat jarring," Focalors admits as she examines her mirror image.
"So, is this acceptable?" Furina asks.
"Yes! Now, all you need to do is officialise your ascension and inform the citizens of Fontaine. I have arranged everything for you".
"And you? Where will you be?" Furina looks deeply at Focalors.
"As for me, I will be recuperating, as this ritual took a lot from me. After that, I will have to prepare for the Final Dance, of course," Focalors gently cups Furina's cheeks, "don't worry, I will check up on you from time to time," and then, she disappears.
"Typical," Furina mutters, looking at the empty space. She sighs and starts to look for a way out of this very glowing space. Furina doesn't forget to take a nibble of it, though. She needs that energy.
After a while, the matters are quickly settled. Now, she stands at the place which would later become widely known as Opera Epiclese.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening and welcome to the Opera Epiclese. I am Furina de Fontaine, your new Hydro Archon. In truth, I know little about becoming a nation's new god, but it will be my honour to guide you all. As the God, Focalors, The God of Justice, I shall do within my power to lead you into an age of fairness and justice. Once again, thank you all for coming, if you have any questions or suggestions, please send them to the Maison Cardinalice – the future of Fontaine will require us to work together, after all," she says and looks at the audience. Immediately, voices of dissent start to appear.
"That's the new Hydro Archon? Is this some kind of joke by the Maison? I would've thought that a being that surpasses humanity would be a bit more assertive..."
"Hey," a scoff, "did you hear that? She even told us to send her suggestions there at the end..."
…
"Shouldn't gods be all-powerful? She is being so modest... What is the difference between her and an ordinary person, then?"
"If you ask me… Perhaps the succession didn't actually happen. She might just be a Maison-backed puppet?"
On the stage, a cold smirk slowly graces her face.
Furina claps, "Ahem, it seems a lot of people have something to say about me. I see that most of you are nobles. Fontaine just passed a crisis and I understand that you guys want to pour all of your wealth to help rebuild this beautiful nation. That's why, I will be accepting your generous donations".
"What?!"
"This is unacceptable!"
"What are you doing? Remove that fake god from the stage at once!"
All of these nobles. When Egeria just passed and Fontaine was without a leader, they stuffed their pockets without caring about anyone else. When people are starving on the street, elderly people and children are fighting each other for a slice of bread, and they sit in their mansions, happily counting their Mora while everyone struggles. Now that she touches their wealth, they dare to turn their fangs even against their Archon, their god. Mortals are truly amusing.
"Now, that's enough," at that instant, all the clamouring voices suddenly stop. With a deafening bang, those who are standing knee to the ground with such force that their knees turn bloody and shattered. A primal fear grips their heart as they look up onto the stage. There, the new Hydro Archon stands. She meets their gaze with a mocking smile. Her eyes glow golden, as if the sun itself is manifesting inside her eyes. They want to struggle, but they can't even blink. Only at that time do they realise, the being standing in front of them is a god. Not a peasant they can bully all they want.
"How enthusiastic of all of you! I like your spirit. Don't worry, I won't leave anyone out! Everyone will have a chance at donation!" The god in front of them declares with dramatic posture with one hand raised into the air as if announcing to the world one hand to her chest gripping motion as if she is greatly moved.
That day, many nobles stumble out of the Opera house. Raising arms and gathering armies as soon as they reach their residence. Even if it is a folly, mortal arrogance knows no bounds. However, Dragons are hardly merciful beings.
"You have made quite a ruckus today. Do you truly think it is wise? Fontaine is already in shambles from the Cataclysm. If we lose the support of Nobles…" Focalors appears in the vanity mirror in front of Furina.
"Of course, as of now, those Nobles are nothing but blood-sucking leeches. We have to cut them off if we want to rebuild Fontaine, and to a greater height at that. While we will lose some manpower in the process, I have plans for that already. You see, Dragons are quite adept in the art of Alchemy, so if I-" Suddenly, her words are cut off by a sudden attack from the shadow. Furina frowns.
[Majesty]
The gravity increases as the assassin slams into the ground, leaving cracks. He tries to stand up but to no avail. Furina leisurely stands up and walks toward the dark figure. She then takes off his mask. Red, ruby-like eyes, glistening fangs, and a pale complexion.
"A vampire. As expected," Focalors comments.
"A vampire?" Furina echoes.
"Yes, the situation in Fontaine is more complex than you have thought. There is a group called Midnight Society, and many Noble houses are tied to it. One of the members of Midnight Society are Vampires. They must have thought you are a young goddess like Dendro Archon and tried to take advantage of it," Focalors explains.
"I see. It seems my plans have to be moved forward a bit," Furina comments coldly.